The 50-page review of Heritage Academy of Learning Excellence is part of our series of in-depth accounts of Canada's leading private schools. It provides a unique and objective perspective on the school's academics, programs, culture, and community.
Read our in-depth review"When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower. Recognized as Ottawa's Top Private School from 2023–2026, Heritage Academy specializes in supporting students with dyslexia and other learning exceptionalities through small classes and a multisensory approach. Named one of Canada's 5 Best-Performing Schools to Watch (2026), winner of the 2026 Top Choice Award, and led by Canada's 2026 Principal of the Year, we empower every student to achieve their full potential."
Our environment, with smaller class sizes and less stimulus, are often advantageous to students with ADD/ADHD. In addition, our teachers bring in the use of frequent body breaks, use of manipulatives, use of multisensory fidgets and use of the desk bicycles.
By promoting the values of honesty, perseverance and respect, Heritage fosters acceptance and growth among our students, and enables them to reach their full academic potential. We love to see students learn how to succeed and enjoy school.
At Heritage Academy, we prioritize meaningful learning over traditional, one-size-fits-all instruction. While we follow the Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum, we deliver it through engaging, multisensory teaching strategies that activate visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile pathways. Rather than relying primarily on lectures, memorization, or worksheets, we emphasize hands-on experiences, movement, discussion, and differentiated instruction that help students build lasting understanding and confidence.
The result is a learning environment where students are engaged, empowered, and equipped with the skills they need to achieve academic success.
Founded in 1989, Heritage Academy was created with a clear mission: to provide students with learning exceptionalities the individualized support they deserve. Over the past 37 years, we have grown from a small specialized school into one of Canada's leading independent schools for students with dyslexia and other learning differences. A defining milestone was the continued development of our multisensory, evidence-informed approach while maintaining full alignment with the Ontario curriculum. National recognition, including being named Ottawa's Top Private School (2023–2026), receiving the 2026 Top Choice Award, and earning recognition among Canada's 5 Best-Performing Schools to Watch—reflects the values that have guided Heritage Academy since its founding: innovation, inclusion, and empowering every student to reach their full potential.
Heritage Academy is an excellent option for students who can meet grade-level expectations with the right supports and who benefit from personalized instruction, small class sizes, and a multisensory approach to learning.
We welcome students both with and without learning exceptionalities, including dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, ASD, anxiety, executive functioning challenges, auditory and visual processing disorders, nonverbal learning disabilities, memory difficulties, and other learning differences.
Families who thrive in our community value partnership, open communication, and individualized learning over a one-size-fits-all approach. They recognize that every child learns differently and appreciate a school that builds confidence, resilience, independence, and a genuine love of learning while maintaining high academic expectations through the Ontario curriculum.
Heritage Academy is best suited for students who can thrive in a collaborative, respectful learning environment with individualized academic support. While we specialize in helping students with learning exceptionalities succeed, we are not designed to provide intensive behavioural intervention, a fully modified curriculum, or full-time 1:1 educational assistant support. Students must be able to work independently when appropriate, collaborate positively with peers, and follow the school's Code of Conduct. Families looking for a highly competitive, large-school environment or a program focused primarily on behavior management rather than academic growth may also find that our approach is not the best fit. Our priority is to provide a personalized, multisensory education that prepares students to learn, contribute to the school community, and reach their full potential.
Families have come to know Heritage Academy as a school where students are not only supported academically but are also understood, valued, and encouraged to grow socially and emotionally. Many of our students arrive feeling discouraged or unsuccessful in traditional learning environments. At Heritage, we recognize their unique strengths and believe every student has the potential to succeed. By combining individualized instruction, multisensory teaching strategies, and a nurturing school community, we provide students with the tools, confidence, and strategies they need to learn in ways that align with their unique learning profiles. As confidence grows, so does independence, resilience, and a renewed love of learning. Our goal is not simply to help students succeed in school today, but to empower them with the skills and self-belief to achieve their full potential throughout life.
Heritage Academy in Ottawa is highly regarded for its focus on supporting students with dyslexia and other language-based learning exceptionalities. Established in 1989, the school provides a nurturing environment with small class sizes, multisensory teaching methods, and individualized support. These accommodations are particularly beneficial for students with ADHD, anxiety, and attention-based challenges.
Heritage Academy fosters a sense of inclusion and growth, making it a preferred choice for families seeking personalized educational approaches.
One of the most underappreciated aspects of Heritage Academy is the transformative impact that confidence has on learning. Families often notice our small class sizes and multisensory teaching strategies, but they don't always realize how intentionally we foster resilience, independence, and a genuine love of learning. By engaging students through multiple learning modalities, we help them rediscover their strengths and experience success. Equally important is the sense of belonging our students develop. They build meaningful friendships, embrace new challenges, and gain the confidence to advocate for themselves. When students feel understood, supported, and capable, their academic growth accelerates—and that confidence extends far beyond the classroom.
Our teachers and tutors are passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of their students. They go beyond simply delivering the Ontario curriculum by creating engaging, multisensory learning experiences that help students connect with, understand, and retain new concepts. Recognizing that every learner is unique, our educators adapt their teaching strategies to meet individual learning profiles while maintaining high academic expectations. At Heritage Academy, our staff is committed to helping students overcome challenges, celebrate progress, and rediscover confidence in their abilities. Through patience, encouragement, and strong relationships, they foster resilience, independence, and a genuine love of learning.
One of our most exciting recent initiatives has been the revitalization of our schoolyard to better reflect our commitment to hands-on, experiential learning. We transformed our outdoor spaces into engaging environments that encourage exploration, creativity, collaboration, and play. New gardens, natural learning areas, sensory features, and outdoor gathering spaces provide students with meaningful opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences. This project was made possible through the incredible support of our community partners, volunteers, families, and staff. The revitalized schoolyard reflects our belief that learning extends beyond the classroom and that a thoughtfully designed environment plays a vital role in supporting students' academic, social, and emotional growth.
Over the next five years, Heritage Academy will take an exciting step forward by expanding into a second campus located beside our current school. This growth will allow us to create dedicated Elementary (Grades 1–8) and Secondary (Grades 9–12) schools, each thoughtfully designed to meet the unique developmental and educational needs of its students. This expansion will provide enhanced learning spaces, age-appropriate resources, and greater opportunities for specialized programming while preserving the small class sizes and personalized support that define Heritage Academy. As we grow, our mission remains unchanged: to provide every student with an exceptional, individualized education that builds confidence, fosters independence, and empowers them to reach their full potential.
Hear directly from Heritage Academy of Learning Excellence community as they share insights.
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